St. Catherine Laboure 1876

 

Feastday 25th November                           

Born 1806                  

Died 1876

 

 

Ninth of eleven children born to a farm family, and from an early age felt a call to the religious life. Never learned to read or write. Forced to take over running the house at age eight after her mother died and her older sister joined the Sisters of Charity. Worked as a waitress in her uncle's cafe in Paris. Upon entering a hospital run by the Sisters of Charity she received a vision in which Saint Vincent de Paul told her that God wanted her to work with the sick, and she later joined the order, taking the name Catherine. On 18 July 1830 she had a vision of Our Lady who described to her a medal which she wished struck. On one side it has the image of Our Lady, and the words, "O Mary, conceived wthout sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee"; on the other are the hearts of Jesus and Mary. Our Lady told Catherine that wearers of the medal would receive great graces, it has become known as the Miraculous Medal, and its wearing and devotion has spread worldwide. Miracles reported at her tomb. 1

 

1.. Taken from the Patron Saints Index at http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintc11.htm

 

1. The first Vision  “The virgin of the chair” July 18th 1830

 

In the summer of 1830 she was awakened by an extraordinarily beautiful five year old child dressed in white who called to her “Catherine, Catherine, wake up. Come to the chapel; the Blessed Virgin is waiting for you”  “Do not be uneasy” the radiant vision added “It is half past eleven; everyone is asleep. Come, I am waiting for you.” Upon following the infant to the chapel she found it illuminated with blazing candles and after kneeling in anticipation for a while the child said “Here is the Blessed Virgin” 1

 

In the same instant Catherine heard the movements of silk fabric looked up and saw the Blessed Virgin at which she fell to her knees “My child, the good God wishes to charge you with a mission.” She said “You will have much to suffer, but you will rise above these sufferings by reflecting that what you do is for the glory of God. You will know what the good God wants. You will be tormented until you have told him who is in charged with directing you. You will be contradicted, but do not fear, you will have grace. Tell with confidence all that passes within you. Tell it with simplicity. Have confidence. Do not be afraid.” 2

 

“The times are very evil. Sorrows will befall France, the throne will be overturned. The whole world will be plunged into every kind of misery. But come to the foot of the altar. There grace will be shed upon all, great and small, who ask for them. Especially will grace be shed upon those who ask for them…” 3

 

“My child, I particularly love to shed grace upon your Community. I love it very much. It pains me that there are great abuses in regularity, that the rules are not observed, that there is much relaxation in the two Communities. Tell that to him who is charge of you, even though he is not the superior. He will be given charge of the Community in a special way, he must do everything he can to restore the rule of vigor. Tell him for me to guard against useless reading, loss of time and visits. When the rule will have been restored in vigor, a community will ask to be united to your Community. Such is not customary, but I love them. God will bless those who take them in. They will enjoy great peace. The Community will enjoy great peace. It will become large. But, there will be an abundance of sorrows, and the danger will be great. yet, do not be afraid, tell them not to be afraid. The protection of God will be very present in a special way, and St. Vincent will protect you. I shall be with you myself. I always have my eye upon you. I will grant you many graces. … “ 4

 

“The moment will come when the danger will be extreme. It will seem that all is lost. At that time, I will be with you. Have confidence. You will recognize my coming and the protection of God over the Community, the protection of St. Vincent over both communities. Have confidence, do not be discouraged. I will be with you then…” 5

 

“But it will not be the same for the other communities. There will be victims, among the clergy of Paris there will be victims. Monseigneur the Archbishop…My child, the cross will be treated with contempt. They will hurl it to the ground. Blood will flow. They will open up again the side of Our Lord. The streets will run with blood. Monseigneur the Archbishop will be stripped of his garments. My child, the whole world will be in sadness…” 6

 

2. The second vision “ The virgin of the Globe” November 27th 1830

 

Upon receiving the vision of Our Lady standing upon a globe was heard to say “This ball that you see represents the whole world, especially France, and each person in particular…These rays are symbols of the graces I shed upon those who ask for me. The gems from which rays do not fall are the graces for which souls forget to ask…” 7

 

3. The Third Vision “Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal” November 27th 1830

 

“Have a Medal struck after this model” she went on to command “All who wear it will receive great graces. They should wear it around their necks. Graces will abound for those who wear it with confidence” At this instant the tableau seemed to me to turn, and I beheld the reverse of the Medal: a large M surrounded by a bar and a cross: beneath the M were the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the one crowned with thorns, the other pierced with a sword…” 8

 

References

1. Fr Joseph Dirvin Saint Catherine Laboure of the Miraculous Medal  (http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/CATLABOU.htm)

2. ibid

3. ibid

4. ibid

5. ibid

6. ibid

7. ibid